Juneteenth and Newport: A Salve conversation on the meaning of Juneteenth: Join us as we explore our newest federal holiday, Juneteenth, by reading excerpts from the book On Juneteenth by Annette Gordon-Reed. Readings are available through the IRC's message board. 

The newest federal holiday signed into law in 2021 by President Joe Biden, is recognized annually on June 19th. With our readings, we'll explore the origins of Juneteenth, which marked the end of legalized slavery with the arrival of federal troops in Galveston, Texas, in 1865 after the end of the Civil War. Observances of Juneteenth demand a look back at Rhode Island's history, along with Newport as the dominant slaving port in North America, in its complicity in trafficking and enslaving Africans for more than 200 years (Dark Work, Clark-Pujara, 2016). Local organizations and city government are honoring this new holiday with educational opportunities and celebrations. How will you be observing Juneteenth in 2023?

This will be a hybrid program. You may join us in-person on the second floor of the library or via Zoom. All registrants will receive a Zoom link.   

The IRC is managed collaboratively by the Office of Multicultural Programs and Retention and McKillop Library. Rose Albert (she, her, hers) is Associate Director of the Office of Multicultural Programs and Retention, rose.albert@salve.edu. Gretchen Sotomayor (she, her, hers) is Special Programs and Instruction Librarian at McKillop Library, gretchen.sotomayor@salve.edu.